Side dish

Former Blue Star chef James Davis resurfaced last week with the opening of Crêpes Française (473-6999), in the former space of Flavors on Tejon at 321 N. Tejon St.

From 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, the venture is currently serving "raw, honest, classic crepes across the board," says Davis. But after he heals from shoulder surgery, he plans to expand the menu: "Out come the cassoulets, the steak and frites, the smoked pheasant ..."

Owner Florence Reinhardt, a 13-year Springs resident originally from Cameroon, says she travels internationally a lot, and wanted to bring some of those flavors home. She and Davis became friends when the Blue Star was located in Old Colorado City, next to a clothing store she ran at the time.

The menu now offers eight savory crepes — "if you went to France tomorrow, you'd see these," says Davis — and a handful of traditional sweet crepes, as well as dessert tarts and the like.

"But I'm gonna break the rules and do some fun things down the line," Davis says.

New sugar stop

After two years of baking at the Garden of the Gods Club, Megan Walter has gone out on her own with Sweet Daphne Confections (2825 Dublin Blvd., sweetdaphneconfections.com). The shop, which opened in December, offers an array of mini tarts, pastries, bars and cookies, like the standout tangy key lime tart in a buttery scalloped crust. As of now, the colorful pastry case changes weekly.

Walter also creates wedding cakes, gift baskets and customized breakfast trays. She plans to offer a seasonal menu with a focus on locally sourced produce.

À la carte

• Pikes Perk Coffee and Tea House at 1616 S. Eighth St. closed in late December. Company founder and roaster Rick Roehrman says the proprietor of that location, the third since it opened, walked away because of financial difficulties. That leaves Perks open at 14 S. Tejon St. and 5965 N. Academy Blvd.; inside the Colorado Springs Airport; and within the Keva Juice at 1912 Southgate Road.

• A Taste of New Orleans has moved from 2501 W. Colorado Ave. to 333 N. Tejon St., Suite B, the space formerly occupied by Ichiban behind Louie's Pizza. Owner Beth Mell has recently upgraded her menu to include new entrées, desserts and more.